June 25, 2012

Estonian counties want Haapsalu railway line back

The representatives of the Estonian Harjumaa, Hiiumaa and Läänemaa counties sent a proposal to the economy and communications ministry to include the restoration of the Riisipere–Haapsalu–Rohuküla railway line in the transport development plan and transport infrastructure development investment plan for 2014-2020, LETA/Delfi reports.

"Restoring the railway and modern electric train traffic on the excising railway embankment till Rohuküla (port – ed.) would enable Läänemaa residents on the mainland, the residents of Harju county's Nissi parish, but also the residents of Vormsi island parish and Hiiu island county and visitors of these regions to be in a fast and safe connection with the state capital's region," the statement reads.

By smooth combining of different transport types – ferry, train, bus – a modern transport corridor would emerge between Western Estonia and Tallinn, they say, stressing the regional political importance of the project.

The possibility for people to travel by train from Tallinn to the popular resort town Haapsalu disappeared in 1995 when the railway management company Eesti Raudtee closed the Riisipere-Haapsalu section as it was in a dangerously dilapidated state. Some cargo transport still continued on the 53-km section. It was sold in 1997 to a local businessman for a symbolic sum of money. In 2004, the railway section was finally dismantled completely.